An afternoon photo session turned tragic when four Tharaka University College students drowned on Saturday as they swam in River Kathita.
Three bodies of the victims had by Saturday night been retrieved while the search for the fourth one is ongoing.
The bodies include that of one woman, police spokesman Bruno Shioso said, terming the incident a tragedy.
“The students were on a swimming session in the river when four of them drowned. Witnesses said it started with one drowning and as the others tried to save her they also drowned,” he said.
He said two students who had also been overcome by the strong water currents were saved by locals and rushed to hospital.
Shioso said the group of first-year students had gone to the river for a photo session when some of them decided to swim oblivious of the danger. The bodies were moved to the Marimanti mortuary, awaiting an autopsy and identification.
The river has unique sceneries that attract locals. A similar incident happened in 2019 when a student died while swimming. There have been calls for more measures to deter similar incidents in the future. Officials want the erection of posters near the river to warn those venturing there, especially newcomers, including students.
“This will help give caution to those trying to venture therein that swimming there as an amateur will endanger one,” said Shioso.
He added parents and guardians of the victims had been informed about the incident.
